Windows 7 Installation Media Only Boots into Recovery

Ever since I've updated to Windows 8, I have been really pleased. Everything works fine but when I was automatically updated to windows 8.1, I wasn't happy. I mostly use my PC for gaming and emulating my favourite classic game consoles. But windows 8.1 either
doesn't allow games to play, and makes my emulators run at 15 FPS (normally they run at 55-60). And now, I cant install Graphics drivers! I used to be able to on windows 8. 8.1 will not let me run any of my old Windows 7 Apps either,
So, after spending hours backing up my date, ready to start a fresh windows 7 installation, I figured out that I cannot upgrade, or even start the installation from the USB drive!
I had lots of issues with Windows Vista and used the same installation media to fix the OS. Now, the installation ONLY boots into recovery mode!
Luckily, I use Debian KDE on the side, So I am able to use my computer, but not play any games.
Is there any way to have the installation media boot into Win7 Setup?

Hi,
Could you provide with a screen shoot?
Please test the USB drive in another pc.
If it is the same issue, it would be caused by the USB drive.
And then follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive.
Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj200124.aspx
Hope this helps,
Ada Liu
TechNet Community Support

Similar Messages

Mountain Lion only boots into Recovery mode after using iCould lock

Hi everyone!
I have searched the forums for hours now, but I can't seen to find an answer to my question, so I'd like to ask it.
Recently my system partition failed due to frequent kernel panics caused by a cable in the screen I think. The kernel panics still occur, but I don't know what to do with them.
I managed to save my files and reinstall my osx, which is Snow Leopard (the disc came with the computer). Then I wanted to install my purchased copy of Lion through Appstore, but it said it's no longer available in my country and I couldn't download it again.
Then I decided to buy a copy of Mountain Lion which I tried to install. I managed to do it, and I tried to explore my new operation system.
I tried the iCloud app as well, including the Lock. It locked the computer, and rebooted, but ever since I couldn't unlock it.
When it asks for the password I enter it and it accepts it, but doesn't unlock, only lets me into Recovery mode. Now I reinstalled the whole thing over again and when the Mountain Lion install finishes, it only boots into the Recovery HD without asking.
So if I reboot my computer, no matter what I do it only boots into Recovery Mode.
Please help!!
Mike

I was afraid the Apple Store wasn't going to be an option.
Based on your previous post, I was under the impression you could download Mountain Lion, but when you installed it, it locked up again. Not true?
I don't know how to remove it. You can try contacting Apple support through the link below to see if they can help you get this unlocked.
Apple Support Contact
Are the kernal panics new since all this happened?
Here is some information about kernal panics.
Kernel Panics - About
Kernel Panics - Avoiding and Eliminating
Kernel Panics FAQ
Kernel Panics FAQ (2)
Kernel Panics - Understanding and Debugging
The articles discuss where kernal panic reports are filed. After you have a kernal panic, copy the report and post it here. Please copy and paste rather than using a screen shot. There are several people who can read them and they can suggest what to do next. Reading kernal panic reports isn't something I've totally figured out yet.

Mac only boots into recovery

it cant boot into internet recovery and when i boot into option my Macintosh HD does not show but in disk utility it shows up it wont show in startup disk and i cant buy buy osx lion please Help

Do you see this screen? BTW, do you have backup? Previous CD installer for your MB? You could try booting from the install CD to run Repair Drive from Disk Utility.

Macbook only boots into recovery mode

Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated. The other day I was watching a movie on Quicktime and out of nowhere the computer froze up. I waited a minute and then finally just did a force shut down of the computer. I then started it back up but instead of coming to the login screen, it started up in recovery mode, where I get the OS X Utilities window.
I opened disk utility where instead of the normal Macintosh HD listed on the sidebar, it says "disk0s2". I tried repairing the disk and it came up with an error saying it couldn't be repaired and I have to reformat the disk. I took it in to the genius bar and they ran a battery of tests on the hardware and it all came back fine, so he told me it must be a software corruption issue.
Now I could just reformat the disk, but being the idiot that I am, I haven't done a Time Machine backup in several months, so there's files I would really like to recover before going through with the reformat. The guy at the genius bar seemed to think it wasn't recoverable, even by a data recovery company, but he said there's always a chance. Is there a chance? And is there anything else I can try to do at home? I've heard good things about Disk Warrior, but how would I run it if I can't even get to my desktop? From another computer?
I have a 2013 Macbook Pro, retina display, 256GB SSD, 8GB memory, running Mavericks.

I was afraid the Apple Store wasn't going to be an option.
Based on your previous post, I was under the impression you could download Mountain Lion, but when you installed it, it locked up again. Not true?
I don't know how to remove it. You can try contacting Apple support through the link below to see if they can help you get this unlocked.
Apple Support Contact
Are the kernal panics new since all this happened?
Here is some information about kernal panics.
Kernel Panics - About
Kernel Panics - Avoiding and Eliminating
Kernel Panics FAQ
Kernel Panics FAQ (2)
Kernel Panics - Understanding and Debugging
The articles discuss where kernal panic reports are filed. After you have a kernal panic, copy the report and post it here. Please copy and paste rather than using a screen shot. There are several people who can read them and they can suggest what to do next. Reading kernal panic reports isn't something I've totally figured out yet.

Brand new Mac mini only boots into recovery mode...

I just picked up a brand new mac mini a couple of hours ago and right from the start, it asked only for a language perference and then after that having been selected, promply went straight to the OS X Utilities screen.
I cant seem to get it out of this mode. And because I do not have an internet conncetion set up on it, I can't, for example, re-install anything or restore or...
It's basically a boat anchor right now.

Startup holing the Option key and see if the Startup Manager will allow you to select the Macintosh HD.
see > Startup Manager: How to select a startup volume
If not, then return it for either a full refund, a replacement system or help.

My MacBook won't boot into recovery mode after new hard drive installation. Please help!

I just installed a new hard drive. On boot it keeps on going to the flashing folder with a question mark inside.
I was able to format the new hard drive but am unable to boot into recovery mode to install the operating system over the air.
When I hold down Command -R it keeps on taking me to the flashing folder.
Please help!

A new hard drive doesn't have a recovery partition. It's totally blank.You're going to need either your original install discs or a Snow Leopard retail disc from which partition, format and install OS X.

HP Pavilion 14-n020se Dosent boot into recovery

So, I have the troublesome laptop (Model typed above). So I found a Single Language ISO of windows 8.1. And I installed it and Activated it. I booted into recovery once and then I did minimized system recovery. It did not work. And I kept getting BSOD. So I reinstalled Windows 8.1 again. Then I got a TDC-SDV (File). After that, I could not boot into recovery. Even after I kept pressing F11. It kept on booting into the normal OS. And trying to make my Recovery Partition Active is no choice for me. Because in Disk Management, I right click the recovery partition and I get no option but help. And in Disk Management I get two Recovery Drives. When I use command Propmt, It says that "The selected disk is not a fixed MBR Disk. The ACTIVE command can only be used on a fixed MBR disks." How do I boot into recovery? And if possible and anyone give me a copy of Windows 8 Pro? My father won't let me download from Microsoft upgrade product key only Software for some reason. And I can't find it anywhere on the Web.

If you didn't create Recovery Media phone HP Support to order a set.
If you live in the US, contact HP Here.
If you live in another part of the world, start here>>Contact HP
******Clicking the Thumbs-Up button is a way to say -Thanks!.******
**Click Accept as Solution on a Reply that solves your issue to help others**

How do I boot into recovery mode with wireless keyboard

I am unable to boot into recovery mode using either cmd-R or holding down the alt key. How is it supposed to work?
Message was edited by: Niklas Brunberg (better title)

I understand your concerns - I'm glad both of my machines are dual bootable (just in case) and I have my Snow Leopard install disks..... However, this is what Apple has decided, so we need to find the best way to deal with it. Personally, I've tested the recovery mode several times and, at least on my machine, it was not reliable (i.e. it wouldn't work - I tried it again and it did, but it spent more than an hour downloading the entire 4 GB installer again and then another 30 minutes installing it), and on a third try, I found that it had vanished because I had cloned by drive. When you clone, only your system is cloned, not the extra partition.
So, I've decided to rely on a) my bootable clones and b) a copy of the installer (.dmg) in case my clones fail. I don't feel comfortable relying on something that requires an internet connection and a full download to work. But, that works for me; you may want to take a different approach.

"The computer started using Windows installation media." Installing windows 10 technical preview on virtual machine

The computer started using Windows installation media. Remove the installation media and restart your computer so that Windows starts normally. The, insert the installation media and restart the upgrade. (Do not
select |custom[advanced]| to perform an upgrade. |custom[advanced]| installs a new copy of Windows and deletes your programs and settings.)
That is the Compatibility report that I'm getting when trying to install onto parallels 10 Version 10.2.0 (28956) on my mid 2009 Macbook 13. This happens just after I click 'Install now' and accept the T&Cs.
I am selecting 'Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, setting and applications'.
I am upgrading from the Windows Technical Preview Evaluation Copy. Build 9879.
I have updated my EFI and tried a few restarts and am booting from a CD. No luck yet.
Any help would be muchos appreciated.

Hi bitofagiggle,
I am not familiar with mac machines, based on what I know, there should be more settigns that need to be configured before the installation of Windows, I suggest you contact the manufacturer for further help regarding how to make Windows to upgrade smoothly.
The below is some articles for reference:
Install
Windows 8.1 on a Mac
Your Manufacturer website:
How to install Windows using Boot Camp
Please note: Since this website is not hosted by Microsoft, the information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.
Best regards
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help, and unmark the answers if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact [email protected]

MacBook Pro OSX 10.9- Cannot boot into recovery mode or use USB bootdisk

Hi guys,
I'm having an issue with my MacBook Pro running OSX 10.9. I want to re-install the operating system, however the computer freezes when being booted into recovery mode or when rebooting into a USB boot disk. Either the spinner freezes or it moves to a screen with just the Apple logo.
Thanks in advance

Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
Click the Clear Display icon in the toolbar. Then try the action that you're having trouble with again. Select any messages that appear in the Console window. Copy them to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Paste into a reply to this message by pressing command-V.
When posting a log extract, be selective. In most cases, a few dozen lines are more than enough.
Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.

Mac keeps booting into Recovery mode

HI,
my macbook pro mid 2009 keeps booting into recovery mode,
if I select primary disk in recovery mode or at boot holding shift it quickly showes crossed out circle instead of an apple at boot screen than boots into recovery mode again.
I have repair permessions, repaired disk (no errors) and reset pram but no luck.
Is there anything alse I can try?
Thank you.

Looks like some files might be damaged. You will likely have to reinstall the operating system. I hope you have a back up of your data.

Booting into recovery endlessly

Hi everyone, in a pickle. HP 6v1323 laptop needed reformatting so went ahead and used recovery. After several hours it told me it failed! As l had set the recovery partition to boot first to get it to work, l am now locked into this eternal loop l cant get out of. Each time l reboot, it goes straight to recovery. Have tried recovery several times. No recovery disks but know l can get some. Would they work? Any way to get it to boot back to ordinary drive? Thanks in advance :-)

Problem fixed! Went into bios and reset to default setup and also ran the drive check (don't know official name :-)) Altered boot sequence too. Still booted into recovery so l decided to run it one last time and it worked. Yah.... Happy, happy....and probably very lucky. Will be making recovery disks NOW.

OS X Lion 10.8.2 won't boot into recovery mode

Help! OS X Lion 10.8.2 won't boot into recovery mode, I get a grey screen, the apple icon and the spinning symbol...Does anyone have any suggestions?
Have a MacBook Pro (2009) and had no problems until upgrading to LIon from Snow Leopard... thanks!

Hi there - thanks very much for your suggestion, it did reboot eventually but took a long time to get there.
I've have run Disk Utility. After Verifying the disk it said it needed Repairing - so tried doing that and got the message " Error: Utility can't repair this disk. Back up as many of your files as possible, reformat the disk, and restore your backed-up files" I have got Time Machine but haven't backed-up since Dec 12...Can I use "Restore" to copy the MBP HD to an external HD and then re-install Lion?

Can only boot into Windows 7. Can't even boot from Snow Leopard DVD.

I have no idea what prompted this. I don't recall installing any OS updates recently, other than some Windows Live apps in Windows 7.
I have an early 2009 Mac Mini with Snow Leopard, and have Windows 7 64-bit installed in a Boot Camp partition. When I installed Windows 7, I couldn't get the Boot Camp utility to install within Windows (I guess because it's 64-bit) so to switch back and forth between OSes, I just shut down the Mac and restart it with the Option key pressed, and select Mac OS X when I want to return to Mac. This has worked for about a month and a half now (ever since I got Windows 7). Suddenly I have problems.
I first had problems booting into Windows or Mac. I got to the grey screen with the Apple logo, with that spinning "progress" thing going for a while, then it would freeze up and get stuck on the grey screen with the Apple logo. I zapped the PRAM. No help. Then, after disconnecting all external drives (I have several) and extra USB devices, I was able to boot from the DVD install disk and reinstall Snow Leopard on my internal drive. Joy, or so I thought. Then I booted into Windows 7, and after some weirdness getting it to start, it did successfully start and ran just peachy.
Then I turned off the Mac and held down the option key (as usual) to return to Mac OS. But now all that happens is that I get a grey screen for a few seconds, then the Mac boots back into Windows 7, which seems to work fine. (I'm in Windows 7 right now.) I turned on one my external drives (Snow Leopard installed, connected via Firewire 800) in hopes that the Mac would boot into that, but same thing. Ignored and back to Windows 7.
Then I thought I'd boot from the install DVD again by putting it in the drive and holding down the C key as I restart, but the same thing--a grey screen for a few seconds, and then booting right into Windows 7. I can't seem to escape Windows 7! It's a bit disturbing when it won't even recognize the install DVD.
I tried to call Apple Care since I'm within my 90 day support window, but of course they are closed. I'm figuring that I'm going to have to take this into an Apple Store, but thought I'd see if anyone has any ideas. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

According to Apple, Win 7 64bit is supported with Bootcamp 3.0. If bootcamp 3.0 is available; I could not find it anywhere on Apple's website. It appears the most recent version is 2.2. The only place I could find 3.0 is not on Apples website and it's a questionable source so I won't post it here.
It may just be a matter of time before Apple makes it available. I'm not suggesting you wait, however if the install disk can't be used, I'm not too sure where u could go from there. Calling Applecare might work.
If you do a simple google search using the terms 'download bootcamp drivers windows 7' u will see what I was referring too.
Here's what I found from Apple (It doesn't specifically mention 64bit however just win7): http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3920
This is not from Apple, but specifically addresses whether they support win7 64bit: http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/08/31/boot.camp.win.7.64.support/
Here is more info about bootcamp 3.0 and win7: http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

Intel Mini will only boot into safe mode - hangs on ANY Mac OS volume

I have an Intel Mac Mini... the core2duo 1.83GHz or whatever.
I acquired it from it's previous owner, as it was "broken".
He could not get it to run an install disc.
It will not boot any of the Mac OS install media (DVD or CD - 10.4, 10.5, 10.6).
It will not boot/install a Linux disc (I haven't tried, but that's what I was told).
It WILL boot/install Windows !?!?
So... anyway, I removed the HDD, and installed OS 10.6 Leopard on it (FW Target mode installs kept failing at the end - regular retail DVD). I then reinstalled the HDD back into the machine.
The system keeps hanging at the same point it would when trying to boot an install DVD - after the screen turns blue, it goes back to the gray screen, then immediately freezes.
However, I eventually discovered that it WILL boot into safe mode !
Everyone kept saying it's the logic board failure, but if it boots into safe mode, can that be true ? It doesn't seem to me that it would be hardware based in that case - unless it's just a specific component, like the Airport module or something.
The last line displayed in Verbose mode when it hangs is:
"athset_txchainmask[5124] sc->sc.config.txchainmask 5 mask 5"
It also says something about the Airport just before that.
I tried removing the Airport module and it still hangs.
I also tried different RAM, with the same results.
I ran the 10.6.2 combo update in Safe Mode. It still hangs. Haven't tried 10.6.3 yet, though I do have it downloaded and ready to install.
This thing is driving me crazy. Please tell me there's a fix, OTHER than replacing the logic board ?!?! It just doesn't seem like it should be so complicated considering that it runs in safe mode.
It's rare I can't figure out a Mac problem - please help !
Message was edited by: maxtechsystems

Very strange, and getting stranger !
Ok... so, from safe boot mode, I installed Windows XP Pro using the boot camp assistant.
Everything installed perfectly. I started up from Windows, and put in the Mac Mini recovery disc, in order to load the drivers. The Boot Camp software started with Auto Run, and I clicked through to install everything. The drivers start loading...Windows reacts positively, with the system tray announcing "new hardware installed" every 30 seconds or so. Airport/WiFi IS working (in Windows), as it detected my router/network...this is where it gets F'ed up - when the installer gets through with the drivers, and installs the boot camp software for Windows - the system reboots, goes through the usual Windows startup...the desktop background appears, but no icons or start menu - then it reboots again...same thing, again, over and over in a loop.
Went back into OS X (safe boot mode). Installed reEFIt (a bootloader utility), to see if maybe I can bypass the Mac OS/Boot Camp bootloader. No luck. Install worked, but still had the same issues.
For the heck of it, I try installing Linux Mint 8. The live CD starts up OK, but only as far as the boot menu. I tried the installer first - after the splash screen, it hangs on a plain gray screen (w/o the normal linux installer language selection menu - just solid grey).
I tried running the live CD w/o the installer - the actual OS. Same thing - after the splash screen, it hangs, only it's a black screen this time. If I use verbose mode, it still seems to hang on the WiFi card.
Here's the strangest thing yet - Ok, remember, it wouldn't boot normally into ANY Mac OS volume - including the installer DVDs - only in safe boot mode...
So, I try the "hackintosh" IPC osX86 10.5.6 DVD - it boots into the installer with NO problem, WITHOUT safe boot mode ! I tried installing it unsuccessfully. I forget now which options I choose, if any, though I may try it again later and pretend it's just a non-apple PC with the same specs as the Mini (or try just the "base system", and the bootloader - then run the official Apple updates)
This last thing really makes me think it has something to do with the EFI/bios - however, I've only been able to find info on how to update it, not replace or restore it - and it's only from a working install, not forced from a flash drive or CD (plus when I do try the installer from safe boot mode, it says it's current and unneeded).
I still haven't changed the hard drive. After almost successfully installing Windows, I made the assumption the -hardware- was OK, and reassembled everything.
Currently, I'm trying a direct installation of Windows XP Pro SP2 with which I'll try installing the drivers WITHOUT the boot camp software, to see if the WiFi (Airport card) and everything else is indeed working OK (remember too that the system passed ALL the ASD 3S116 tests).
So anyway, that's the current status. Any new ideas anyone ?
Thanks.
Message was edited by: maxtechsystems

Windows 7 Installation Media Only Boots into Recovery

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